Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera is the incumbent Head Thera of the London Buddhist Vihara and the current Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain.

Welcome to Dhamma School

Buddharashmi is the website for Dhamma School. Founded in 1969 Rahula Dhamma
School is maintained by the London Buddhist Vihara.

For the last 48 years the Vihara's Dhamma classes for children have been
conducted without a break. During this period many children have sat for the
examinations conducted by YMBA, Colombo, Sri Lanka, and they have successfully
completed their studies.

Besides the practice and study of Dhamma, there are many Sri Lankan Buddhists
who wish to keep their heritage at the forefront of their family living. With
this in mind, Sinhala language classes are held for children after the Dhamma
class.

In past years there has been an opportunity for students to sit for G.C.E.
O/level examinations in Sinhala here in Britain. Many children have passed the
examination.

There are a number of teachers who have dedicated their time and effort to teach
the Dhamma in the past and who are still doing so. It will be a difficult task
to list all these names so we simply thank them all for their valuable
contribution.

We have now approximately 150 children on the register and every year it is
growing in number. All Buddhist parents are encouraged to use this golden
opportunity to teach their children valuable Buddhist ethics and practice which
are not available in their day-to-day school curriculum. Please enroll your
children for the classes at the first opportunity. Children can attend the
classes at the age of 4 1/2 years.

The London Buddhist Vihara is a leading center for Theravada Buddhism. Formed in
1926 by Anagarika Dharmapala, the Vihara was the first Buddhist monastery to be
established outside the continent of Asia.

Buddhist Heritage

Articles on Buddhism and Buddhist sites. News on the Buddhist world and recent developments.

News Items

2020 National Vesak Week from May 04 to 08

Published - Friday, May 1, 2020

Sri Lanka has declared a National Vesak Week from May 04 to 08 in view of the
events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Cultural and Religious Affairs
made the announcement today (01).

The national Vesak festival will centralize Olaboduwa Raja Maha Viharaya in
Gonapola, Horana.

The ministerial secretary added that a limited number of people will be involved
in the national festival due to the outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

Vesak Full Moon Poya Day 7 May 2020

Published - Friday, May 1, 2020

Vesak Day is a Holy Day for Buddhists. In fact, it is considered the holiest day
in the Buddhist Calendar.
The Buddha's birthday is observed annually on the Sunday nearest to the
full moon in May. It is a holiday observed by Buddhists across the world,
though the exact date may differ from country to country.

State Poson Festival at Mihintale on 4, 5 and 6 June 2020

Published - Thursday, May 21, 2020

This year's State Poson Festival is to be held on 4, 5 and 6 June at the Mihintale Medamaluwa in Anuradhapura under the theme of 'Arogya Parama Labha' (The Greatest of All Gains is Health).

This was decided when the Poson Committee met on Thursday, 21st May 2020 presided by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.

It also was decided there that the State Poson Festival should share the same theme of State Vesak Festival: Arogya Parama Labha at a time when the entire world is plagued with the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Committee also decided to celebrate the Poson Poya Festival which marks the 2328th year following Ven. Arahanth Mahinda Thera’s arrival in Sri Lanka in a manner that would not affect the Governments endeavor to eradicate COVID 19 from the country while following the guidelines of the health sector.

Hence the Pirith Chanting, Hevisi Pooja, Kapruk Pooja and Aloka Pooja organized with the media institutions at Mihintale and other Atamasthana temples would be held with the participation of limited number of participants.

President, PM to launch Mihintale Aloka Pooja 4 June 2020

Published - Friday, May 22, 2020

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will attend
the Mihintale Aloka Pooja as the chief guests on June 4 and Mahinda Rajapaksa
will inaugurate the three-day State Poson Festival. The State Poson
Festival will be held on June 4, 5 and 6 in Mihintale.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will switch on the Mihintale Poson illuminations
(Mihintale Aloka Pooja).

President will also mark World Environment Day which falls on Poson Poya day
this year, by initiating a tree planting programme in Mihintale Sacred
city.

He will also issue the 2020 State Poson Festival commemoration stamp at 6.15 pm
after which he will hand over the Sannasa to Maha Sangha, declaring the
Mihintale Sacred premises as a national heritage.